Yes spectacles is cheaper. They use a very light material unlike here. For RM150 you can get a full set. Namdaemun market has tonnes of spectacles shops. Don't forget to bring your prescription if you have special requirements.

Actually January is low season in South Korea. Oct to Dec is more expensive due to school holidays and Christmas. For Dec/Jan if you plan your trip to end before 19 Dec or to start after 3rd January, the rates are cheaper by RM300 per person.

This post has been edited by cynthusc: Feb 25 2014, 05:12 PM

For MAS that is normal. The cheapest I got to Seoul in RM2100 return so your deal is pretty good. If you want less than 1K you have to book AirAsia.

I just booked for Seoul in Dec for RM950 inclusive of luggage but excluding food and seat selection. If I include all it would cost me about RM1200.

That is a very good deal because that already includes meal and luggage. The only other time I managed to get a better deal was in 2012 when I got a return ticket all in for RM800.

What are your travel dates like? I am going from 19 - 28 Dec. Itinerary is Jeju-Pyeongchang-Seoul. Three nights in every location.

This post has been edited by cynthusc: Mar 2 2014, 12:32 AM

Don't worry you don't need a guided tour to enjoy Seoul. Free and easy is definitely cheaper. This is going to be my fifth visit to South Korea so if you need any assistance on your itinerary do let me know.

RM500 can only get 160,000 won. Errr. How many of you going? The bus ride from airport is already 16,000 won per person. Per meal per person with drinks is about 10,000won. T-Money you have to load about 10,000 won as per trip is 1000-1200 won. Can lah if you don't buy anything and eat cheap food only. BBQ is about 35,000 won per portion. A guy can easily eat two portions. You also need to pay entrance fee to certain sites so did you calculate that in?

When I went to Seoul for 6 nights I brought 800,000 won for two people but we had very good meals and a trip to Nami Island and a trip to Everland. Also includes a little shopping (about 200,000 won) and rental of a WiFi egg.

Break down what you intend to do and you will be able to budget accordingly. A cheap meal is about 10,000 won (a bowl of noodles or soup with rice and a drink). Kimbap and snacks from the convenience store is about 2,000-4,000 won. Beef galbi is expensive esp Hanwoo beef. We had two beef meals and each cost 45,000 won. Outside of Seoul, the beef is cheaper. At Hoenggye we paid only 20,000 won for one portion of beef. As I was there in 2012 with 4 other people, we ordered 8 portions and paid only 160,000 won. The ajumma also threw in a free bimbim naengmyeon and a bowl of galbi tang (about 6000 won each)

There is one shop that I know at IKANO but its quite expensive. You can try buying online at Qoo10.

Hi! I am going around the same time as well.

IMO the best place to ski is in Pyeongchang gun but if you are a beginner, you can't really enjoy the slopes that much because you will probably be at the bunny run most of the time.

If you enjoy sledding and are going with kids, Everland is a must. They have a three tier sledding area and the Christmas parade is beautiful. You can also go the trout fishing festival in Jinbu which is reachable by a 2 hour bus ride. The palaces are also nice during winter esp Chandeokgung. There are other festivals as well and I believe that at City Hall they will have a lot of performances.

If you are going in November, some of the ski resorts might not be open. They usually open in mid December onwards. Seoraksan is to the north and you need to go to Sokcho. From Busan you can take an intercity bus to Gangneung and from Gangneung another bus to Sokcho. You can stay overnight in Sokcho and hike up Seoraksan early in the morning to see the sunset. There are several trails so choose the one you like. The easiest one I think is about 2 hours hike up. As it is very cold please wear proper clothes. If it is snowing then I recommend using cleats as it can get really slippery.

If you want to do some sledding, you can head to Everland in Seoul. The sledding there is fun! Bear in mind, it may not be available if it doesn't snow since you are going, technically, in Autumn.

Hi Hong,

I go skiing every year to SK so IMO unless you are very fit and can learn to ski in a very short time, gondola rental is not necessary for first timers. When learning you will mostly use the bunny trails. Gondola's will take you to the higher trails and you need to be able to ski down as there is no way down EXCEPT by skiing or snowboarding down. If you are at the ski jump for more than 2 days than by day 2 or 3 you can try the beginner trails.

You are correct that from airport to Alpensia will take 3 hours. If you go during the weekend it will be longer as many Koreans head for the slopes during the weekend.

Hi Calvin,

Sorry for the late reply.

I have never taken a tour because it costs more and they tend to rush you through? How many days do you plan to ski? What is your budget? Budget trip, medium cost or luxury? How many in your party?

If it is budget, you can stay in Hoenggye and travel to the ski resorts to ski. If you have a higher budget then you can stay at the resort. Do give me additional info so that I can give you some tips.

Hi there! I will be there during Christmas too! Last year I was there as well and they have special concerts at City Hall. You should also check out the parades at Everland as they make it special on Christmas Day. Christmas Day is more like a day for lovers rather than a religious holiday in SK.

Anyone here hiked up Odaesan? I want to know whether the path is mainly rocks or they have made steps? Deciding whether to buy special hiking boots or just stick to sneakers.

Won dropped against the RM. I managed to get RM3.15 to KRW1000 yesterday. Will be going this coming 19 Dec until 28 Dec

You don't need to go for a ski tour. Just go straight to the ski jump, rent the equipment and ski. Ski rentals is about KRW25,000-30,000 per person depending on which resort. If you stay at the resort, you can get 40-50% discount on rentals.

If you want lessons, you can also pay for lessons. They have individual and group packages.
Which resort are you going to?

This post has been edited by cynthusc: Nov 13 2014, 02:49 PM

I will be in Korea for skiing. Early Dec, snow is usually manmade. You don't need three days in Jisan. Jisan can be done with day trip as it is about 40 mins away from Seoul. You can designate one day for skiing. Not rush at all.

The price does not include ski clothes which you need as without it you will get cold and wet. So that is an additional 20,000 won per person or 40,000 won for 2 pax. Total is 290,000 won. Plus food for the day (estimated at 100,000 won) then it comes to about 390,000 won. Is it an overnight trip? It does not include accomodation right? Its quite expensive.

Please note that Yongpyong is 2 1/2 to 3 hours away from Seoul so if you take the tour and leave at 8 you will reach at 11am. There you will probably have about 2-3 hours to ski only and they will take you to the Ginseng place after lunch and then you will have to head back to Seoul.

If you go on your own:-

Subway from a Seoul station to Gabyeon Station for 2 - 2,300 won
Bus from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (opposite the Gabyeon Station) for 2 - 28,000 won
Rental of Ski Equipment and Clothes for 2 with a discount coupon (you can get discount coupon from Plaza Korea in Menara Hap Seng or download online) - approx 60,000 won.
Return Trip Taxi to Yongpyong Resort - 16,000 won or you can take free shuttle from Hwenggye
Food for the day for 2 - 100,000 won
Same way return trip to Seoul by bus and subway for 2 - 30,300 won

The last bus is at around 8 pm from Hwenggye so you can spend at least 5 hours skiing and see other things and no need to go to Ginseng Centre.

Total - 236,600 won

You can save approx 150,000 won which is about RM480

Do check winterfriend.com. They have day trips that start from 58,000 won per person.

I just wanted to share my budget and itinerary for those who are going in winter.

My trip is not a backpacking style but it is a comfortable middle class budget for two (2):

Air Asia flights tickets (inclusive of luggage, seat selection and food) - RM2213.00

Accommodation – RM2643.43 (Five nights at a 4 star hotel and four nights at a 2.5 star hotel)

HP Rental with data plan - RM210 (for 10 days)

Food, Transportation, Entrance Fees and Shopping – RM3500.00

Itinerary

Day 1 & 2 - Gangneung, Sokcho & Mount Seorak
Day 2,3,4 - Pyeongchang - Skiing at Yongpyong & Alpensia, Sky Ranch & Trout Festival, Hanwoo Village
Day 5-10- Seoul (Everland, Christmas Dinner at Grand Hilton, Ehwa, Hongdae, Myeondong, Visiting friends & Shopping)